Micah Richards has now claimed that Chelsea have a player in their squad who is better than Enzo Fernandez.

He told ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast that Reece James is actually their best player, and him missing has been key this season.

James returned to action for the first time since the opening game of the season at the weekend as he came off the bench for the final few minutes.

The cheer he received when he entered the pitch was a showcase of just how popular the 23-year-old is right now, as many are praying that he gets over his injury concerns.

When fit, there are few better than James in his role.

Richards praises James

It seems that Richards agrees with this, actually going as far as to claim there is no one better at Stamford Bridge than him.

He said: “I think Chelsea have been back from the start of the season, I really believe that in terms of what he wants to do. The team ethos and the way he wants them to play. Don’t forget they have lost key players like Reece James, he’s their best player. He has been injured. Lavia, Caicedo, they have had players out.

“They are getting players back now. Gusto again was really good until the end of the game. They went with two number 10’s with Gallagher and Palmer and he’s just getting used to his squad. With Chelsea we are saying who is going to finish off the chances.”

Mauricio Pochettino has hinted that he and his coaching staff have put together a plan for the England international to return to action and not suffer another setback.

This is likely to mean he will not start games for a little while, which may be okay if Malo Gusto continues to perform well in that role.